Vehicle washing installation with reverse wash cycle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle washing installation including a lengthwise movable wash rack for washing a stationary vehicle. The lengthwise movable wash rack includes two brushes of which one of the brushes is located to wash one of the sides of the vehicle during lengthwise movement of the rack. The other of the brushes is mounted for transverse movement and is actuated at the start and end of the lengthwise movement of the rack to wash the front and rear ends of the vehicle. During the lengthwise movement, the movable brush is located to wash the opposite side of the vehicle.

United States Patent 1 Skweres June 12, 1973 [75] Inventor: Thomas W.Skweres, Lisle, Ill.

' [73] Assignee: Ross and White Company, Wheeling,

. Ill.

[22 Filed: June 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 149,995

52 us. c 15 21 E, 15/DIG. 2 51 1m. 01. B60s 3/06 58 Field of Searchl5/DlG. 2, 21 1),

Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Attorney--Rummler & Snow [57] ABSTRACTA vehicle w'ashinginstallation including a lengthwise movable wash rackfor washing a stationary vehicle. The lengthwise movable wash rackincludes two brushes of which one of the brushes is located to wash oneof the sides of the vehicle during lengthwise movement of the rack. Theother of the brushes is mounted for transverse movement and is actuatedat the start and end of the lengthwise movement of the rack to wash thefront and rear ends of the vehicle. During the lengthwise movement, themovable brush is located to wash the opposite side of the vehicle.

2/1971 Gougoulas 15/21 1) I PAIimrowmms I 3 ,737,193; ,7

SHtEI 1 OF 7 INVENTOR. THOMAS WSMRES PATENTED M 3 3, 737. 9 34 SHLET 2BF 7 "3 THOMAS w .SKWERES By EH55,

, 1 VEHICLE WASHING INSTALLATION WITH REVERSE WASH CYCLE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus forautomatically washing vehicles.

Heretofore automatic vehicle washers have been of two general types. Inone type, the washing equipment is maintained stationary and the vehiclemoves past the equipment. In the other type, the washing equipment ismovable past a stationary vehicle. The latter type of equipment hasgenerally been used for larger type vehicles such as buses, railvehicles, and the like.

One of the main disadvantages of the prior movable washing equipmentresides in the fact that the washing equipment had to be returned to itsinitial position before another vehicle could be washed. This reducedthe rate at which a line of vehicles may be washed.

Moreover, the prior movable washing equipment generally includedseparate units that were located at the front and rear of the vehicle towash the respective ends thereof. Thus only the sides were washed by a'moving piece of equipment which traveled lengthwise of the vehilce.

The disadvantages of stationary washing equipment wherein the vehiclemoves past or through a plurality of stationary washing stations is wellknown. In this type of equipment a pulling or conveying means wasgenerally required to move the vehicle past the washing stations. Theseconveying means not only increased the installation costs, but alsorequire frequent maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 'By the present invention it is proposed toprovide a vehicle washing system which overcomes the difficultiesencountered heretofore.

This is accomplished generally by a vehicle washer installationincluding a washer assembly that is movable lengthwise of the vehicleand carries means for washing the respective ends and the sides of thevehicle.

-of the vehicle. The rnovably mountedrotating brush washes the oppositeends of the vehicle prior to and after lengthwise movement of the rackand washes a side of the vehicle during the lengthwise travel along withthe stationary position brush which washes the other vehicle side, allincorporated in the rack.

The movement of the rack and movable brush is arranged so that washingof the vehicle may be initiated from either end of the vehicle. Thismakes it possible to wash one vehicle from rear to front and anotherfollowing vehicle from front to rear without having to return the rackto an initial start position. This arrangement reduces the time requiredto wash a line of vehicles waiting their turn to be washed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of avehicle washing intstallation embodying the structure of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front veiw of the movable wash rack of the present inventionwith the facing sheets broken away to show underlying details ofstructure.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the wash rack takengenerally along the lines 3 3 of FIG. 2, with the facing sheets brokenaway.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the wash rack with the facing sheets brokenaway.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the wash rack showingin particular the movable brush assembly including the drive means formoving the assembly and the means for rotating the brush.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are an elementary schematic wiring diagram of thecontrol system for operating the washing system of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are sequential schematicillustrations showing the relative positions of the wash rack, thestationary brush assembly and the movable brush assembly during a washcycle.

, DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,there is shown a vehicle washer installation 10 having a movable washerassembly or wash rack 11 embodying the structure of the presentinvention. The washer installation 10 includes roof washing assembly 12at the entrance and rinse rack 13 at the exit for rinsing the vehicleafter washing.

The-vehicle washer installation 10 is described in association with thewashing of a multi-passenger bus B but it should be clearly understoodthat the invention hereinafter described is not limited to the washingof buses and-may also be used for washing various other types ofvehicles.

Disposed at the entrance of the installation 10 are tire guides 14 whichserve to direct the bus B into the roof washing assembly 12 and themovable wash rack 11. The foundation or floor 16 of the washerinstallation 10 is preferably made from concrete in which the tireguides and other floor associated members of the installation may beembedded.

Wheel chocks 17 are spaced lengthwise from the roof washing assembly 12.The wheel chocks 17 may be mounted for movement between an elevatedchocking position beneath the front wheels of the bus B and a loweredposition flush with the floor 16. Bus energized treadle switches (notshown) are used to raise and lower the chocks 17. The wheel chocks l7serve to locate and maintain the bus stationary during the end and sidewashing cycle performed by the wash rack 11.

Located forward of the roof washing assembly 12 is an inverted U-shapedand stationary wetting arch 18 comprising generally framing members 19which support a horizontally disposed'perforate spray pipe 21. The spraypipe 21 is connected to a suitable source of water and detergent (notshown) for wetting the bus B as it enters the installation 10. Thespray'pipe 21 may be constructed so as to direct a spray pattern towardthe front and rear of the bus B as it passes through the arch l8.

The roof wash assembly 12 includes framing members 22 fixed in the floor16 at one end and support a hood 23. A motor driven rotatable wash brush24 is supported in hood 23. The operation of the roof wash assembly 12may be controlled by an automatic control circuit housed in a controlpanel 26. The diameter of brush 24 is selected so as to be capable ofwashing vehicles having different heights. This eliminates the necessityfor raising and lowering the brush to compensate for height differentialin a line of buses.

The rinse arch 13 at the exit end is fabricated from piping 27 which isperforated to apply a spray on the bus B as it passes through. Thepiping 27 is suitably braced by bracing members 28 imbedded in the floor16. An inlet pipe 29 connects the spray piping 27 to a suitable sourceof rinse water (not shown).

The movable rack 11 as shown in FIGS. 2-5 is an inverted U-shaped framehaving a pair of vertical side frame sections 32 and a top frame section33. The frame may be covered with facing sheets that have been brokenaway in the drawings to show underlying details. The side frame sections32 are of substantially identical structure each having a pair oflengthwise spaced upright side channels 34. Fixed to the lower ends ofthe channels 34 are a pair of laterally spaced horizontally disposedbase channels 36 which may be of fishbelly contour.

Journaled in journal boxes 37 carried by the horizon tal channels 36 areshafts 38'on which traction wheels 39 are fixed. The traction wheels 39ride on lengthwise extending tracks 41 suitably fixed as by bolting tothe floor 16.

Motors 42 mounted on suitable vertical support channels in each of theside frames 32 are used to drive associated traction wheels 39. Themotors 42 are reversible and may have a l horsepower rating. Thetraction motors 42 in each of the frames 32 are connected to associatedtraction wheels 39 by way of drives including a flexible coupling 43,and a reduction gear unit 44 having a sprocket gear 46 which drives asprocket 47 connected thereto by a sprocket chain 48.

The sprocket 47 is fixed to a shaft 49 journaled for rotation between apair of spaced journals 51 (see FIG. carried in the side frame section32. Mounted on the shaft 49 are a pair of smaller sprockets 52 whichdrive, by way of sprocket chains 54, associated drive sprockets 53 fixedto the traction-wheel shafts 38.

The top frame section 33 (FIGS. 3, 4 and 5) comprises longitudinallyspaced and transversely extending front and rear top frame beams 56 and57 that are fixedly secured to the upper ends of the upright sidechannels 34. An overhead track support beam 59 is disposed between thefront and rear beams 56 and 57 and is fixed at its ends to upper sidebeams 58 (see FIG. 4). The upper side beams 58 are secured to theupright side channels'34.

Fixed to the intermediate or track support beam 59 and the rear beams 57are lengthwise spaced track assemblies 61. The track assemblies 61 (seeFIG. 3) each include a plurality of spaced angle iron support bracks 62.Angle iron strips 63 are fixed as by welding to the upper and loweredges of each of one of the legs of the support brackets 62 so as todefine opposing V-shaped tracks. The angle iron strips or tracks 63guide an overhead carriage 64 of a movable brush assembly 65.

The carriage 64 is a generally rectangular shaped open frame having sidechannels 66 and end channels 67. Tubular posts 68 are fastened to theside channels 66 adjacent to the corners of the carriage frame 64. Thetubular posts 68 (see FIG. 3) project beyond the upper and lower edgesof the channels 66 and carry opposing wheel assemblies 69. The wheelassemblies 69- include grooved wheels 71 which ride in opposingrelationship to the upper and lower tracks 63 of the track assemblies61.

A carriage drive motor 72 of the reversible type and associated with aspeed reduction unit 73 is suitably mounted on supports secured to frame67. The carriage drive motor drives the carriage from right to left orleft to right as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. A sprocket chain 74 (FIG. 5)meshes with a sprocket 76 on the speed reduction unit 73 and a drivesprocket 77. The drive sprocket 77 is fixed to a shaft 78 rotatablyjournaled in bearings 84 fixed to the side beams 58.

Sprockets 79 are fixed to each end of the drive shafts 78 and drivesprocket chains 81 which also mesh with sprockets 82 carried on therespective ends of a rotatable shaft 83. The shaft 83 is journaled inbearings mounted on the opposite side beam 58. The drive sprocket chains81 may be maintained taut by idler sprockets 86 carried by the rearchannel 57 and the track support beam 59. Each of the drive sprocketchains 81 is secured at 64a to the respective ends to the end channels67 of the carriage frame 64 so that the carriage assembly 65 may bemoved lengthwise on the track assemblies 61. Thus, upon rotation of thecarriage drive motor 72 in either a clockwise or counter clockwisedirection, the carriage 64 frame will be pulled by the sprocket chain 81either from right to left or left to right.

A carriage brush unit 87 is mounted on the carriage frame 64 forlengthwise movement therewith. The carriage brush unit 87 as shown inFIG. 2 includes a hollow shaft 88 which is suspended from and journaledin bearings 89 mounted on support framing fixed to the carriage frame64. A rotating bearing guard 91 and a roller bearing assembly 92 areattached to the lower end of the shaft 88. Brush elements 93 of the disctype in disposable aluminum cores are fixed to the shaft 88. The brushelements 93 are made from plastic such as polypropelene of hollowspaghetti-like design. Water is introduced to the brush unit 87 in thewell known manner and is not shown.

The carriage brush unit 87 of the carriage assembly 65 is powered by areversible motor 94 carried on framing members of the carriage frame 64.The carriage brush motor 94 is connected to a speed reducer unit 95which is connected to drive the brush shaft 88 by a flexible disccoupling 96.

A second or stationary positioned brush unit 97 is mounted in theforward section of the top frame section 33. The second brush unit 97 issubstantially identical to the carriage brush unit 87 and includes ahollow brush shaft 98 journaled and suspended at its upper end inbearing assemblies 99 mounted on framing members. The shaft 98 is alsosupported at its lower end in a bearing 101.

The brush elements 102 are of the same structure as the brush elements93 including hollow brush elements and water is supplied thereto in thewell known manner.

A reversible motor 103 supported on the frame is used to operate thebrush assembly 97. The motor 103 is connected to a speed reduction unit104 which is coupled to the shaft 98 by a flexible disc coupling 106.

As shown in FIG. 1, a power track 107 in the form of a C-shaped channelis mounted along one side of the tracks 41. The power track 107 includesa plurality of trolleys 108 which carry the power line and water line Isprocket chains 81 of which the ends are fixed to carriage frame at 64a.Movement of the carriage frame 64 and the brush unit 87 carried therebyis from the position shown in FIG. 8 toward the opposite side of therack 11 to the position shown in FIG. 9. The rack drive motors 42 areenergized to move the rack 11 to the position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.At the same time, the motor 94 is energized so that the brush unit 87 isrotated and water is supplied thereto. The brush unit 87 is thusoperative to wash the front end of the bus B.

When the carriage 64 and the brush unit 87 carried thereonarepositiioned along the opposite side of the bus as shown in FIG. 11,the carriage motor 94 is deenergized and the motor 103 is energized torotate the stationary brush unit 97.

The traction motors 42 are then energized to drive the traction wheels39 by way of the flexible coupling 43, gear reduction unit 44, sprocket46, sprocket chain 48, sprocket 47, sprockets 52, sprocket chains 54 andsprocket 53. The rack 11 is thus driven lengthwise on the tracks 41.During the lengthwise travel along the tracks, the brush units 87 and 97continue to rotate and wash the sides of the bus B.

Upon reaching the rear end of the bus B, the rack 11 stops and the brushunit 97 stops rotating. The brush unit 87 continues to rotate and thecarriage motor 72 is energized so that the carriage frame 64 movestransversely on the rack 11 toward the stationary brush unit 97. Whenthe brush unit 87 reaches the'brush unit 97, the brush unit motor 94 andthereafter the carriage motor 72 are de-energized. During the transversemovement of the brush unit 87, the rear of the bus B is washed, as shownin FIG. 13. In the stopped position, the brushes 97 and 87 are inlongitudinal side-by-side relationship, as shown in FIG. 14. Thereafterthe rack motors 42 are again energized so that the bursh 87 is moved outof engagement with the end of the bus B, as shown in FIG. 15.

The wash sequence from the rear to the front is substantially the samewith the exception that the rack 11 moves lengthwise from the rear tothe front of the bus during the wash operation.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 6A and B, and 7-16, the operationand control circuitry for operating the washer rack 11 will now bedescribed in greater detail. A bus B enters the installation throughroof washing assembly 12 guided by the tire guides 14. As the bus Thebus B continues between the tracks 41 and is stopped and held positionedby the chocks 17 which are elevated by the bus actuated treadle switch.The movable wash rack 11 is located at the exit end of the washerinstallation 10 so as to be positioned at the forward end of the bus Bas shown in FIG. 7. The'movable carriage brush assembly 65 carrying thebrush 87 is located adjacent the fixed brush 97.

In this position of the rack 11 (see FIGS. 3 and 6A and 6B), a forwardlimit switch 200 is held tripped by the rack 11. Also, with the movablebrush unit 87 located adjacent to the fixed brush unit 97, a carriagelimit switch 201 is held trip by the carriage assembly 65. It is to benoted that there are two other limit switches 202 and 203 which areactuated as the carriage assembly 65 moves transversely or forwardacross the front end of the bus along the carriage track 61.

Also mounted on the rack 11 is a rear limit switch 204 located adjacentthe rear end of the bus B. Associated with the forward and reverse limitswitches 200 and 204 are over-travel switches 205 which serve todeenergize the control circuit if the rack 11 should overtravel eitherof the limit switches 200 or 204 without stopping. For purposes ofillutration, the forward limit limit switch 200, rear limit switch 204and over-travel switches 205 are shown mounted on the floor foractuation by the rack. In actual practice, however, these switches maybe mounted on the rack and actuated by shoes mounted on the floor.

As shown in the elementary wiring diagram of the control circuit inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the rack motors 42, carriage motor 72, the carriagebrush motor 94 and stationary brush motor 103 are connected tothree-phase power. The designations along the right hand side of thediagram indicate the line connections. As heretofore described, thetraction motors 42, carriage motor 72, carriage brush motor 94 andstationary brush motor 103 each are three-phase reversible motors and tothis end, the motor circuits are each provided with motor starters 207,208, 209 and 210, respectively, for energizing the forward windings andreverse motor starters 211, 212, 213 and 214, respectively, forenergizing the reverse winding. The control circuit is connected to asuitable source of current at the power track 107 by a line switch 215.Each of the motor circuits is also suitably fused.

As heretofore described, in the position of the wash rack 11 shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the forward limit switch 200 in linesL38 which energizes relay 239 shown on the line L4 and L24 and L6whereby switch 200 is released by the rack 11. The carriage limit switch201 in line L11 is also held tripped. The automatic control circuit isthen initaited by momentarily depressing a control power switch 216 inline L1 thereby to energize a control relay 217 to close the circuit tothe control circuitry. This condition is indicated by a power-on light Gin line L2 which is connected in parallel with relay coil 217.

A treadle switch adjacent to wheel chocks 17 is actuated momentarily byfront wheel of bus B to energize remotely located control relay 218.When the forward limit switch 200 is held tripped. control relay 239 inline L38 is energized to subsequently energize control relay 219 in lineL5 to initiate the reverse wash cycle of the carriage brush assembly 87and the rack 11.

Initially, as shown in line 8 of FIG. 6, the carriage control circuit isenergized by energized control relays i i the carriage limit switch 202in line L14 is momentarily tripped and then released. The position ofthe brush 87 is shown in FIG. 9.

In the tripped condition of the limit switch 202, a control relay 220 inlines L9, L14, L16 and L22 is energized, and the carriage motor startercoil 208 is deenergized to stop the carriage motor 72. At the same time,the rack reverse starter coil 21 1 is energized whereby the rack motors42 are operative to move the rack 1 1 back toward the entry end of thewash installation so that the brush units 87 and 97 assume the posotionshown in FIG. 10. Also, the brush motor starter coil 213 in line L16 isenergized so that the carriage brush motor 94 rotates counter clockwiseand a water solenoid valve 221 is turned on to provide water to thebrush.

When the rack 11 moves back, the limit switch 200 (see FIG. 4) isreleased. The rack 11, however, engages and trips a reverse hip switch222. Tripping of the hip switch 222 energizes time delay relays 223, 224and 225 in lines L26, L27 and L29, so that the rack motors 42and therebythe rack 11 is stopped for a period during which the rack motor reversestarter coil 211 is deenergized. The carriage forward motor starter coil208 is then energized to continue movement of the carriage assembly 65forward to wash the front of the bus B during the period the rack 11 isstationary, as shown in FIG. 11.

Upon reaching the end of the travel adjacent the opposite side of thebus B, the carriage assembly 65 trips the carriage limit switch 203 (seeFIG. 4). This causes the carriage forward starter coil 208 to bede-energized so that the carriage motor 72 stops.

At this time, timing relay 226 in line L is energized. The reverse motorstarter for the rack motors 42 is energized by its coil 211 in line L23so as to move the rack 11 along the tracks back to the rear of the bus Bas shown in FIG. 12.

At the same time, the brush reverse starter coil 214 in line L31 (forenergizing the reverse winding of the brush motor 103) is energized sothat the brush unit 97 is rotated clockwise. Also, a solenoid operatedwater valve 228 is energized so that water is supplied to the brush unit97.

Both brush units 87 and 97 are now rotating. Brush unit 87 rotatingcounter clockwise; and brush unit 97 rotating clockwise with water beingsupplied thereto.

' As the rack 11 approaches the rear of the bus B, it releases the rearhip switch 222. Upon release of rear hip switch 222, the time delayrelay 227 in line L28 is energized while the time delay relay 223 inline L26 is deenergized. After a time delay (to allow the brush unit 87to clear the rear of the bus B as shown in FIG. 13), the reverse motorstarter for the rack motors 42 is deenergized by its coil 211 in lineL23 to stop the movement of the rack 11. At the same time, the carriagereverse motor starter coil2l2 is energized and the carriage motor 72 isrotated so that the carriage 64 is pulled by the sprocket chain 81toward the initial starting position.

As the carriage moves back, it releases carriage limit switch 203 inlines L8 and L30 so that the reverse brush starter coil 214 in line L31is de-energized, thereby stopping the motor 103. At the same time,solenoid water valve 228 is also de-enertized to cut off the watersupply to the brush 97.

The carriage assembly 65 trips and releases the carriage limit switch202 whereupon the control relays 220, 229 and the timing relay 230 aremomentarily energized to de-energize the brush reverse motor startercoil 213 in line L16 and the brush water solenoid valve 221 in line L18,thereby stopping the brush rotation and shutting off the water supply tothe brush assembly 87. De-energized timing relay 230 will hold contactclosed (shown in line L21) for a timed interval to permit rack motors 42to be energized at a later time.

Carriage 64 continues to move until it engages and trips limit switch201, at which time the carriage reverse starter coil 212 in line L11 isde-energized so that the carriage motor 72 is stopped, as shown in FIG.14. At the same time, the reverse motor starter coil 211 of the rackmotors 42 is energized, thereby moving the rack 11 until the lattertrips the reverse limit switch 204, at which time control relay 240 inline L39 is energized to cause control relay 219 in line L5 and rackreverse motor starter coil 211 in line L23 to be deenergized. At thistime, the rack 1 1 is stopped, and the reverse wash cycle is completed,as shown in FIG. 15.

Upon completion of the wash cycle, the wheel chocks are lowered and thebus B is driven out through the rinse rack 13. Another bus to be washedmay then be driven into the installation, as shown in FIG. 16. When thenext bus is positioned in the installation, the rack 11 is located atthe rear end of the bus so that the washing is performed from the rearto the front or forward end. v I

The rear to forward or forward wash cycle is substantially the same asthat described in connection with the forward to rear or reverse washcycle. Tripping of the reverse limit switch 204 in line L39 energizescontrol relay coil 240 in line L39 to energize control relay coil 231 inline L6, which prepares circuit for the forwardwash cycle..

The forward wash cycle is initiated by the momentary actuating of thetreadle switch and the subsequent momentary energizing of the remotelylocated control relay 218, which energizes control relay coil 231 inline L6.

The carriage circuit is energized by energized control relay coils 218and 231 whereupon the carriage forward control starter coil 208 in lineL8 is energized to start the carriage motor 72 in a forward direction,whereupon the carriage limit switch 201 is released and the carriagelimit switch 202 in line L14 is momentarily tripped and then released.

In the tripped condition of the limit switch 202, a control relay 220 inlines L9, L14, L16 and L22 is energized, and the carriage motor startercoil 208 is deenergized to stop the carriage motor 72. At the same time,the rack forward starter coil207 is energized whereby the rack motors42'are operative to move the rack 11 forward toward the exit end of thewash installation. Also, the brush motor starter coil 209 in line L17 isenergized so that the carriage brush motor 94 rotates clockwise and awater solenoid valve 221 is turned on to provide water to the brush.

When the rack 11 moves forward, the limit switch 204 is realesed. Therack 11, however, engages and trips a forward hip switch 232. Trippingof the hip switch 232 energizes time delay relays 223, 224 and 225 inlines L26, L27 and L29, so that the rack motors 42 and thereby the rack11 is stopped for a period during which the rack motor forward startercoil 207 is deenergized. The carriage forward motor starter coil 208 isthen energized to continue movement of the carriage assembly 65 forwardto wash the rear of the bus B during the period the rack 11 isstationary.

Upon reaching the end of the travel adjacent the opposite side of thebus B, the carrige assembly 65 trips the carriage limit switch 203. Thiscauses the carriage forward starter coil 208 to be de-energized so thatthe carriage motor 72 stops.

At this time, timing relay 226 in line L30 is energized. The forwardmotor starter for the rack motors 42 is energized by its coil 207 inline L24 so as to move the rack 11 along the tracks forward to the frontof the bus B.

At the same time, the brush forward starter coil 210 in line L32 (forenergizing the forward winding of the brush motor 103) is energized sothat the brush unit 97 is rotated counter clockwise. Also, a solenoidoperated water valve 228 is energized so that water is supplied to thebrush unit 97.

Both brush units are now rotating. Brush unit 87 rotating clockwise, andbrush unit 97 rotating counter clockwise with water being suppliedthereto. As the rack 11 approaches the front of the bus B, it releasesthe front hip switch 232. Upon release of front hip switch 232, the timedelay relay 227 in line L 28 is energized while the time delay relay 223in line L26 is deenergized. After a time delay (to allow the brush unit87 to clear the front of the bus B), the forward motor starter for therack motors 42 is de-energized by its coil 207 in line L24 to stop themovement of the rack 11. At the same time, the carriage reverse motorstarter coil 212 is energized, and the carriage motor 72 is rotated sothat the carriage 64 is pulled by the sprocket chain 81 toward theinitial starting position.

As the carriage moves back, it releases carriage limit switch 203 inlines L8 and L30 so that the forward brush starter coil 210 in line L32is de-energized, thereby stopping the motor 103. At the same time,solenoid water valve 228 is also de-energized to cut off the watersupply to the brush 97.

The carriage assembly 65v trips and releases the carriage limit switch202 whereupon the control relays 220, 229 and the timing relay 230 aremomentarily energized to de-energize the brush forward motor startercoil 209 in line L17 and the brush water solenoid valve 221 in line L18,thereby stopping the brush rotation and shutting off the water supply tothe brush assembly 87. De-energized timing relay 230 will hold contactclosed (shown in line L21) for a timed interval to permit rack motors 42to be energized at a later time.

Carraige 64 continues to move until it engages an trips limit switch201, at which time the carriage reverse starter coil 212 in line L1] isde-energized so that the carriage motor 72 is stopped. At the same time,the forward motor starter coil 207 of the rack motors 42 is energized,thereby moving the rack 11 until the latter trips the forward limitswitch 200, at which time control relay 239 in line L38 is energized tocause control relay 231 in line L6 and rack forward motor starter coil207 in line L24 to be de-energized. At this time the rack 11 is stopped,and the forward wash cycle is completed.

In both the forward and reverse cycles, an intermit tently operatingrelay 233 in lineL35 is energized so as to activate a signal horn 234and signal light 235.

The above described explanation pertains to the automatic operationonly. ln the event of momentary power interruption and subsequentinterruption of automatic sequencing, manual over-ride switches are provided to enable the rack to be moved lengthwise to either end of itstrack; and to move the carriage transversely to its starting position,as indicated in FIGS. 8 and 15.

Although but one specific embodiment ofthis invention has been hereinshown and described, it is to be understood that numerous details may bealtered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this inventionas defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vehicle washing apparatus for washing a stationary vehiclecomprising:

a wash rack of substantially inverted U-shape movable lengthwise of thevehicle,

a first and second vertical brush means mounted on said rack forcleaning both sides, the front and the back of said vehicle, each ofsaid brush means being rotatable about a vertical axis,

means mounting said first brush means at one side of the rack and meansmounting the second brush means for movement between the sides of therack,

motors and means for automatically controlling the motors to move saidbrush means through a cleaning cycle for cleaning said vehicle,

said cleaning cycle being initiated with both brush means positioned atthe same side of the rack with their vertical axes spaced from eachother in the direction of movement of the rack and with each axis in aplane substantially parallel to said direction of movement, and saidcleaning cycle comprising moving said second brush means to the otherside of the rack to clean the front of said vehicle in a single pass,moving said rack along the length of the vehicle from its front to itsback to clean both sides of the vehicle with said brush means and thenmoving said secondbrush means back across the rack to its initialposition at the same side of the rack as said first brush means to cleanthe back of the vehicle in a single pass and to complete the cleaningcycle.

2. A vehicle washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidmotors are automatically controlled to move said brush means through asecond cleaning cycle for cleaning a second vehicle, said secondcleaning cycle being initiated with said second brush means at the sameside of the rack as said first brush means in the position of the end ofsaid first cycle, said second cleaning cycle comprising moving saidsecond brush means to the other side of the rack to clean the back ofsaid second vehicle in a single pass, moving said rack along the lengthof said vehicle from its back to its front to clean both sides of saidvehicle with said brush means and then moving said second brush meansback across the rack to its initial position at the same side as thefirst brush means to clean the front of the vehicle in a single pass andto complete the second cycle.

3. A vehicle washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidcleaning cycle includes first moving said second brush means only partway towards the other side of the rack and then moving said rack towardsthe second brushing means is at the same side of the rack 12- as saidfirst brush means whereby said apparatus is in position to start asecond cleaning cycle fora second vehicle and return to the position ofthe rack and brushes at the initiation of the first cycle.

1. A vehicle washing apparatus for washing a stationary vehiclecomprising: a wash rack of substantially inverted U-shape movablelengthwise of the vehicle, a first and second vertical brush meansmounted on said rack for cleaning both sides, the front and the back ofsaid vehicle, each of said brush means being rotatable about a verticalaxis, means mounting said first brush means at one side of the rack andmeans mounting the second brush means for movement between the sides ofthe rack, motors and means for automatically controlling the motors tomove said brush means through a cleaning cycle for cleaning saidvehicle, said cleaning cycle being initiated with both brush meanspositioned at the same side of the rack with their vertical axes spacedfrom each other in the direction of movement of the rack and with eachaxis in a plane substantially parallel to said direction of movement,and said cleaning cycle comprising moving said second brush means to theother side of the rack to clean the front of said vehicle in a singlepass, moving said rack along the length of the vehicle from its front toits back to clean both sides of the vehicle with said brush means andthen moving said second brush means back across the rack to its initialposition at the same side of the rack as said first brush means to cleanthe back of the vehicle in a single pass and to complete the cleaningcycle.
 2. A vehicle washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid motors are automatically controlled to move said brush meansthrough a second cleaning cycle for cleaning a second vehicle, saidsecond cleaning cycle being initiated with said second brush means atthe same side of the rack as said first brush means in the position ofthe end of said first cycle, said second cleaning cycle comprisingmoving said second brush means to the other side of the rack to cleanthe back of said second vehicle in a single pass, moving said rack alongthe length of said vehicle from its back to its front to clean bothsides of said vehicle with said brush means and then moving said secondbrush means back across the rack to its initial position at the sameside as the first brush means to clean the front of the vehicle in asingle pass and to complete the second cycle.
 3. A vehicle washingapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cleaning cycle includesfirst moving said second brush means only part way towards the otherside of the rack and then moving said rack towards the vehicle andcompleting the movement of said second brush means to said other side ofthe rack.
 4. A vehicle washing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 whereinsaid washing cycle includes moving said rack away from said vehicle atthe end of the cycle after said second brushing means is at the sameside of the rack as said first brush means whereby said apparatus is inposition to start a second cleaning cycle for a second vehicle andreturn to the position of the rack and brushes at the initiation of thefirst cycle.